Begin with the Mumbai–Dehradun flight from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Allow roughly 5–7 hours door to door: travel to the airport, arrive at least two hours before a domestic departure, clear security, fly to Jolly Grant Airport, collect baggage, and continue by prepaid taxi or app cab. The airport-to-central-Dehradun drive usually takes 45–60 minutes, depending on traffic. Verify the actual Christmas Day flight schedule before booking; a prepaid airport taxi is the least stressful option, especially if arriving after midday.
After checking in or leaving luggage at your hotel, head first to Forest Research Institute in New Forest. Its sweeping colonial buildings and tree-lined grounds are the city’s most rewarding first introduction; allow about 1½ hours for the campus and museums. Confirm Christmas Day opening hours and any visitor-registration or ticket requirements in advance, as holiday access can vary. From there, take a cab to Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple in Garhi Cantt, around 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. Allow 45 minutes for the cave shrine and seasonal stream, and wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees; Christmas crowds may mean a short queue and slower parking.
Continue to Kumar Sweet Shop in Paltan Bazaar for local treats such as bal mithai, singori, or hot savoury snacks—budget approximately ₹150–400 per person and allow 30–45 minutes. Then spend about an hour browsing Paltan Bazaar, where the lanes are best enjoyed on foot; look for regional snacks, woollens, and everyday textiles, but expect a busy, somewhat chaotic market rather than a polished shopping district. Keep dinner flexible nearby, since shop and restaurant hours can change on the holiday.
A same-day return to Mumbai after flying in, sightseeing, and reaching Paltan Bazaar is impractical. Reserve a night in Dehradun, ideally near the central city or Rajpur Road, and travel to Jolly Grant Airport the next day with at least two hours before departure plus 45–60 minutes for the road journey. If returning to Mumbai on 25 December is essential, omit the sightseeing program and book a separate Dehradun–Mumbai flight with its airport transfer planned in advance.
No packing list attached yet.